DIY Pedal Tips: Eyelet Board Build Walkthrough

In this video, we'll walk you through the build process for an eyelet board pedal build. This build is for a one-knob germanium Fuzz Face, though the process is similar for other circuits. The Fuzz Face has a very low parts count, so it is an excellent choice for a first-time build.

The one tricky part of a germanium fuzz face build is transistor selection, as the original circuit is picky about transistor specifications and can sound poor with the wrong specs (which will result in the circuit being "biased" incorrectly). One of the most common ways to mitigate this issue is to use a trim pot in place of the 8.2k resistor, which we have done in this build. The trim pot allows for making adjustments to the bias, which allows for a wider range of transistors to be used.

Note that PNP silicon transistors can also be used in this build.

Our web guide with the full BoM, layout, and more can be found at the below link:

Our guide for installing standoffs using epoxy (no drilling required) can be found here:

Other tools used in this video:
Atten ST-2090D soldering station:
Bourns Trimpot adjustment tool:
Xcelite wire cutters:
Kester 0.031" diameter 60/40 solder:
10-24AWG wire strippers:
Xcelite curved nose pliers:

[LaurentBourdier]

Nice video. The eyelet board is great and probably the most simple way to build a simple circuit like this. Also it is easy to make the board DIY with any piece of non conductive board and a few brass eyelets from the hardware store. Non conductive and heat resistant examples: OG vulcanized fiber is scarce, phenolic board, fiberglass/g10, cardboard or about anything dipped in epoxy… Just thinking out loud because I have to make one today … 😅

[alphanuevo]

Very cool. Thanks for sharing. Would be great if you could do more videos in the future.

[gisellechacon]

Wow, an exceptional guide, thanks! I totally want to try this build now! Very nice workmanship and construction principles in effect here! 👍🏼

[JimFeeley]

Making this video is a great idea. There are things that are just easier conveyed with video vs words & pix. As you know. (And small suggestion: maybe grab a pop filter for narration to minimize plosives?... Ya, I'm an audio guy; sorry). Thanks again for this. Looks like a fun project....

[Prestapaganini]

Muy bueno, muchas gracias por el video amigo...

[wonderXweapon]

Great ! Is there a place we can get the schematic ? Very cool

[SM]

I love these builds. I've done three so far, working on the Rangemaster but I wanted to add 9v power but it's not practical. Any chance at explaining PNP/NPN?

[slushedpuppy]

The intro to this video shows a different pedal that looks like it's being center punched then riveted. Do you have another video showing what's going on with that process?

[DannyDKNYC]

Hello
Thanks for the great video.
Is there a reason why when you populate the eyelet board
— that you bend the leads through the eyelet and then up and back to the top of the board?
/ instead of through the eyelet and bent behind the board, ? Thank you

[limadamata]

What is the paint do you use for stamping? The stamp maker said me the paint wont last so long and can easily go away if you scratch, even with clear coat.

[alphanuevo]

Hello again, I'm planning to build this with a couple small mods. Bigger enclosure (for more room to work etc), an external bias potentiometer (with 1k resistor in series), and sockets for the transistors. Any feedback / tips on this? Should be fairly similar to what's shown here. Thanks.

[tvs]

Hello, Enjoyed your videos but due to YouTube's blatant political censorship, I will be unsubscribing from your channel. Free Speech must be allowed without political bias. Very sorry.